THE former chairman of Shoebury Residents' Association is making a fresh bid become a Southend councillor.

Independent Mike Assenheim was beaten by Tory Pat Rayner in May's council election in the Shoeburyness ward.

He will make a fresh bid next month, standing in the byelection resulting from the death of Tory councillor Allan Cole.

Mr Assenheim is likely to be battling it out with candidates from all the major parties. The Conservatives have already nominated Graham Hill, while Labour is fielding Ann Chalk, who also stood in May. The Lib Dems have yet to announce a candidate.

Mr Assenheim, a qualified youth worker, has lived in Southend all his life and is married with two grown-up sons. He stood down as chairman of the residents' association when he decided to seek election to the council.